A member asked whether it's advisable to book flight tickets before or after receiving an SDS study visa decision. (Note: SDS itself was later discontinued by IRCC, so treat the underlying booking-strategy advice as still relevant, but check current visa stream names.)
What the thread recommended:- The decision comes down to the airline's cancellation policy and fee — one member pointed to booking with an airline offering a low cancellation fee (e.g., around $70 with the carrier they cited) as a way to lock in a price before it rises, without high risk if the visa is delayed or refused.
- A transit-visa route through the US was mentioned as a cheaper way to reach Canada for some itineraries, worth comparing against direct routes.
- The consistent recommendation was to prioritize refundable and reschedulable tickets if you choose to book before your visa decision arrives, since fares tend to rise closer to your intended travel date.
Practical takeaway: if you want to lock in a lower fare before your visa is decided, book a refundable/reschedulable ticket with a low cancellation fee, and compare routes (including transit through the US) for cost — but always confirm the airline's actual cancellation terms first.